1toll

Definition of TOLL

: a tax or fee paid for some liberty or privilege (as of passing over a highway or bridge)

2

: compensation for services rendered: as

a: a charge for transportation

b: a charge for a long-distance telephone call

3

: a grievous or ruinous price <inflation has taken its toll>; especially: cost in life or health <the death toll from the hurricane>

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Origin of TOLL

Middle English, from Old English, from Vulgar Latin *tolonium, alteration of Late Latin telonium customhouse, from Greek tolōnion, from telōnēs collector of tolls, from telos tax, toll; perhaps akin to Greek tlēnai to bear